Rearview assembly with applique

ABSTRACT

A rearview assembly for use in a vehicle. The rearview assembly includes a rearview device operably coupled with a carrier. The rearview device includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate is disposed in front of the second substrate and includes a first surface and a second surface. The second substrate includes a third surface and a fourth surface. A bezel extends around a peripheral edge of the rearview device. A portion of the bezel extends behind the fourth surface of the second substrate. An applique is disposed over a front surface of the rearview device proximate the peripheral edge thereof. The applique includes an aesthetic design configured to closely match trim styling of an interior of the vehicle. A protective layer is disposed over the applique.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/132,849, filed on Apr. 19, 2016, entitled “REARVIEW ASSEMBLY WITHAPPLIQUE,” now U.S. Pat. No. 9,995,854, which claims priority to and thebenefit under 37 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/149,936, filed on Apr. 20, 2015, entitled “REARVIEW DEVICE,” thedisclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a rearview assembly for avehicle, and more particularly, to a rearview assembly that includes anapplique.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One aspect of the disclosure includes a rearview assembly for use in avehicle. The rearview assembly includes a rearview device operablycoupled with a carrier. The rearview device includes a first substrateand a second substrate. The first substrate is disposed in front of thesecond substrate and includes a first surface and a second surface. Thesecond substrate includes a third surface and a fourth surface. A bezelextends around a peripheral edge of the rearview device. A portion ofthe bezel extends behind the fourth surface of the second substrate. Anapplique is disposed over a front surface of the rearview deviceproximate the peripheral edge thereof. The applique includes anaesthetic design configured to closely match trim styling of an interiorof the vehicle. A protective layer is disposed over the applique.

Another aspect of the disclosure includes a rearview assembly for use ina vehicle. The rearview assembly includes a rearview device operablycoupled with a carrier. The rearview device includes a first substrateand a second substrate. The first substrate is disposed in front of thesecond substrate and includes a first surface and a second surface. Thesecond substrate includes a third surface and a fourth surface. A bezelextends around a peripheral edge of the rearview device. A portion ofthe bezel extends behind the fourth surface of the second substrate. Aprinted graphic applique is disposed over a front surface of therearview device proximate the peripheral edge thereof. The appliqueincludes an aesthetic design configured to closely match trim styling ofan interior of the vehicle. A substrate defines a central opening thatexposes the rearview device. The substrate is disposed over the appliqueadjacent the bezel.

Still another aspect of the disclosure includes a rearview assembly foruse in a vehicle. The rearview assembly includes a housing. A carrier isoperably coupled with the housing and supports a display. A circuitboard is disposed in the housing and is operably coupled with thedisplay. A rearview device is operably coupled with the carrier. Therearview device is disposed forward of the display. An applique isdisposed about a peripheral edge of the rearview device, proximate afirst surface.

Yet another aspect of the disclosure includes a rearview assembly foruse in a vehicle. The rearview assembly includes a rearview devicehaving an applique disposed over the front surface of the rearviewdevice proximate a peripheral edge thereof. The applique is configuredto include an aesthetically pleasing design to closely match the trimstyling of an interior of the vehicle.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the presentdisclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilledin the art by reference to the following specification, claims, andappended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of one embodiment of a rearviewassembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a front portion of a rearviewassembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial top plan elevational view of a corner ofone embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial top plan elevational view of a corner ofanother embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial top plan elevational view of a corner ofyet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations ofmethod steps and apparatus components related to a display mirror.Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have beenrepresented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings,showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understandingthe embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure thedisclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent likeelements.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in FIG. 1. Unlessstated otherwise, the term “front” shall refer to the surface of theelement closer to an intended viewer of the display mirror, and the term“rear” shall refer to the surface of the element further from theintended viewer of the display mirror. However, it is to be understoodthat the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations, exceptwhere expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understoodthat the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attacheddrawings, and described in the following specification are simplyexemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appendedclaims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristicsrelating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered aslimiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The terms “including,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variationthereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that aprocess, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elementsdoes not include only those elements but may include other elements notexpressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, orapparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises a . . . ” does not,without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identicalelements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprisesthe element.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, reference numeral 10 generally designates arearview assembly for use in a vehicle. The rearview assembly 10includes a rearview device 12 operably coupled with a carrier 14. Therearview device 12 includes a front substrate 16 and a rear substrate18. The front substrate 16 is disposed in front of the rear substrate 18and includes a first surface 20 and a second surface 22. The rearsubstrate 18 includes a third surface 24 and a fourth surface 26. Abezel 28 extends around a peripheral edge 30 of the rearview device 12.A portion of the bezel 28 extends behind the fourth surface 26 of therear substrate 18. An applique 32 is disposed over a forward surface 34of the rearview device 12 proximate the peripheral edge 30 thereof. Theapplique 32 includes an aesthetic design configured to closely matchtrim styling of an interior of the vehicle. A clear substrate 36 isdisposed over the applique 32 adjacent the bezel 28.

With reference once again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the applique 32 of thepresent disclosure is generally configured to extend across the forwardsurface 34 of the rearview device 12 at a periphery thereof and beconnected thereto by an adhesive 40, such as a pressure sensitiveadhesive. It is also contemplated that other adhesives may be utilizedto connect the applique 32 to the forward surface 34 of the rearviewdevice 12, or more specifically, with the first surface 20 of the frontsubstrate 16. The applique 32 may be printed, stamped, molded, etched,etc. to form the desired appearance. As previously noted, it isgenerally contemplated that the applique 32 will include a design thatclosely mimics or matches the interior of the vehicle. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the clear substrate 36 extends over and protects the applique32. The clear substrate 36 defines a central opening that exposes therearview device 12 and is generally adjacent the bezel 28. The clearsubstrate 36 acts as an overmold that minimizes or even eliminates aliquid crystal display (LCD) to a reflective area ratio. The clearsubstrate 36 may be constructed from a variety of materials, includingpolymeric materials, glass, etc. Use of the applique 32 can alsoeliminate the need for a hiding layer or chrome ring, and at the sametime, aids in locating and hiding clips that connect a circuit boarddisposed in a housing of the rearview assembly 10 with an electro-opticmedium disposed between the front substrate 16 and the rear substrate18.

Referring now to FIG. 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the front andrear substrates 16, 18 are oriented in parallel planes. An adhesive 50is applied that connects the fourth surface 26 of the rear substrate 18with an inside support wall 51 of the bezel 28 and/or the carrier 14.The bezel 28 also includes an inside peripheral wall 52 that extendsgenerally orthogonally to the inside support wall 51 of the bezel 28. Inaddition, the bezel 28 includes an angled forward portion 54 thatgenerally complements an angled interface wall 56 of the clear substrate36 that extends over the applique 32. An outside wall of the bezel 28includes a generally flat side wall 57 and a rounded forward wall 58.Additionally, a forward edge 60 of the forward wall 58 of the bezel 28is generally co-planar with and flush with a generally planar forwardsurface 61 of the clear substrate 36. The clear substrate 36 extendsover the rearview device 12, and more specifically, extends in front ofthe first surface 20 of the front substrate 16. The adhesive 40 isdisposed between the applique 32 and the first surface 20 of the frontsubstrate 16. The clear substrate 36 extends completely over theapplique 32. However, it is contemplated that the clear substrate 36 mayextend past the applique 32, or the applique 32 may extend beyond theclear substrate 36.

With reference now to FIG. 4, the illustrated embodiment includes asimilar construction. However, the bezel 28 includes a rounded outsidewall 70 that is covered by the clear substrate 36. In this embodiment,the clear substrate 36, in cross-section, includes a generally L-shapedconfiguration that extends over the first surface 20 of the frontsubstrate 16 and wraps around the bezel 28. A rear wall 72 of the clearsubstrate 36 abuts against an abutment wall 74 extending outwardly fromthe bezel 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the clear substrate 36extends completely over the applique 32. However, as previously noted,the clear substrate 36 may extend beyond the applique 32, or theapplique 32 may extend beyond the clear substrate 36. This embodimentotherwise includes features similar to that disclosed above with regardto FIG. 3.

With reference to FIG. 5, the illustrated embodiment includes a clearsubstrate 36. A forward surface 76 of the clear substrate 36 isgenerally co-planar with a front wall 80 of the bezel 28. The front wall80 of the bezel 28 rounds to an outside side wall 82 that is generallyorthogonal to the planar extent of the first surface 20 of the frontsubstrate 16. This embodiment otherwise includes features similar tothat disclosed above with regard to FIGS. 3 and 4. In addition, thebezel 28 includes a small chamfered corner 84 proximate the clearsubstrate 36. An outside wall 86 of the clear substrate 36 is generallyorthogonal to the forward surface 76 of the clear substrate 36. Aninside wall 88 of the bezel 28 is aligned with the outside wall 86, andin cross-section, occupies a plane that is substantially parallel with aplane of the outside wall 86.

Although the clear substrate 36 has been generally indicated in thisapplication as being clear, it will be understood by one having ordinaryskill in the art that the substrate 36 may be generally transparent,generally translucent, or partially opaque. In addition, it is alsocontemplated that the substrate 36 may be considerably opaque such thatthe applique 32 is at least partially concealed from view by a user bythe substrate 36. As generally indicated herein, the substrate 36 mayalso be constructed from a variety of materials, including glass,polymeric material, etc.

The applique 32, as disclosed herein, is generally configured tominimize or even eliminate an LCD to reflective area ratio. Further, theapplique 32 generally defines a hiding layer over the mirror or displaysuch that an internal hiding layer, such as a chrome ring, isunnecessary. The applique 32 effectively hides electrical connectors,such as J-clips, and provides the end consumer with a stylized custombrand interface that complements the interior aesthetics of the vehicle.The applique 32 may be printed, flat, textured, glossy, matte, partiallytranslucent, etc. In addition, the applique 32 may be added to therearview device 12 by adhesive, fasteners, etc., or may be printed rightonto the forward surface 34 of the rearview device 12.

The rearview device 12 may be an electro-optic element or an elementsuch as a prism. One non-limiting example of an electro-optic element isan electrochromic medium, which includes at least one solvent, at leastone anodic material, and at least one cathodic material. Typically, bothof the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least oneof them is electrochromic. It will be understood that regardless of itsordinary meaning, the term “electroactive” will be defined herein as amaterial that undergoes a modification in its oxidation state uponexposure to a particular electrical potential difference. Additionally,it will be understood that the term “electrochromic” will be definedherein, regardless of its ordinary meaning, as a material that exhibitsa change in its extinction coefficient at one or more wavelengths uponexposure to a particular electrical potential difference. Electrochromiccomponents, as described herein, include materials whose color oropacity are affected by electric current, such that when an electricalcurrent is applied to the material, the color or opacity change from afirst phase to a second phase. The electrochromic component may be asingle-layer, single-phase component, multi-layer component, ormulti-phase component, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,572 entitled“Electrochromic Layer And Devices Comprising Same,” U.S. Pat. No.5,998,617 entitled “Electrochromic Compounds,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,987entitled “Electrochromic Medium Capable Of Producing A Pre-selectedColor,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,037,471 entitled “Electrochromic Compounds,”U.S. Pat. No. 6,141,137 entitled “Electrochromic Media For Producing APre-selected Color,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,916 entitled “ElectrochromicSystem,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,912 entitled “Near Infrared-AbsorbingElectrochromic Compounds And Devices Comprising Same,” U.S. Pat. No.6,249,369 entitled “Coupled Electrochromic Compounds With PhotostableDication Oxidation States,” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,137,620 entitled“Electrochromic Media With Concentration Enhanced Stability, Process ForThe Preparation Thereof and Use In Electrochromic Devices”; U.S. Pat.No. 6,519,072, entitled “Electrochromic Device”; and InternationalPatent Application Serial Nos. PCT/US98/05570 entitled “ElectrochromicPolymeric Solid Films, Manufacturing Electrochromic Devices Using SuchSolid Films, And Processes For Making Such Solid Films And Devices,”PCT/EP98/03862 entitled “Electrochromic Polymer System,” andPCT/US98/05570 entitled “Electrochromic Polymeric Solid Films,Manufacturing Electrochromic Devices Using Such Solid Films, AndProcesses For Making Such Solid Films And Devices,” which are hereinincorporated by reference in their entirety. The rearview device mayalso be any other element having partially reflective, partiallytransmissive properties. To provide electric current to the rearviewdevice, electrical elements are provided on opposing sides of theelement, to generate an electrical potential therebetween. A J-clip maybe electrically engaged with each electrical element, and element wiresmay extend from J-clips to a primary printed circuit board.

The present disclosure may be used with a rearview assembly such as thatdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,174,577; 8,925,891; 8,814,373; 8,201,800;and 8,210,695; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0327234, nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,838,653; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos.61/709,716; 61/707,676; and 61/704,869, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety. Further, the present disclosuremay be used with a rearview packaging assembly such as that described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 8,885,240; 8,814,373; 8,646,924; 8,643,931; and8,264,761; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 61/707,625; and61/590,259, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety. Additionally, it is contemplated that the present disclosurecan include a bezel such as that described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,827,517;8,210,695; and 8,201,800, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the disclosure describedherein may be comprised of one or more conventional processors andunique stored program instructions that control one or more processorsto implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits, some,most, or all of the functions of a rearview assembly, as describedherein. The non-processor circuits may include, but are not limited tosignal drivers, clock circuits, power source circuits, and/or user inputdevices. As such, these functions may be interpreted as steps of amethod used in using or constructing a classification system.Alternatively, some or all functions could be implemented by a statemachine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or moreapplication specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each functionor some combinations of certain of the functions are implemented ascustom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches could beused. Thus, the methods and means for these functions have beendescribed herein. Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill,notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choicesmotivated by, for example, available time, current technology, andeconomic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principlesdisclosed herein will be readily capable of generating such softwareinstructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art thatconstruction of the described disclosure and other components is notlimited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety ofmaterials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its form,couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of twocomponents (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature.Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removableor releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement ofthe elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments isillustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the presentinnovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, theoperation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, thelength or width of the structures and/or members or connector or otherelements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustmentpositions provided between the elements may be varied. It should benoted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may beconstructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the present innovations.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired andother exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of thepresent innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps withindescribed processes may be combined with other disclosed processes orsteps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. Theexemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can bemade on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing fromthe concepts of the present disclosure, and further it is to beunderstood that such concepts are intended to be covered by thefollowing claims unless these claims by their language expressly stateotherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A rearview assembly for use in a vehicle, therearview assembly comprising: a rearview device operably coupled with acarrier, the rearview device including a first substrate and a secondsubstrate, wherein the first substrate is disposed in front of thesecond substrate and includes a first surface and a second surface, andwherein the second substrate includes a third surface and a fourthsurface; a display disposed proximate the rearview device; a bezelextending around a peripheral edge of the rearview device; a printedgraphic applique disposed over a front surface of the rearview device;and a protective layer disposed over the printed graphic applique. 2.The rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein the printed graphic appliqueis disposed proximate the peripheral edge of the rearview device.
 3. Therearview assembly of claim 1, wherein the printed graphic appliquedefines a hiding layer that extends over the display.
 4. The rearviewassembly of claim 1, wherein the printed graphic applique is printeddirectly onto the rearview device.
 5. The rearview assembly of claim 1,wherein the protective layer is a clear substrate disposed over theprinted graphic applique.
 6. The rearview assembly of claim 5, wherein aforward edge of the bezel and a forward surface of the clear substrateare substantially co-planar.
 7. The rearview assembly of claim 5,wherein a forward edge of the bezel and the first surface aresubstantially co-planar.
 8. The rearview assembly of claim 7, whereinthe clear substrate extends over both the printed graphic applique andthe forward edge of the bezel.
 9. A rearview assembly for use in avehicle, the rearview assembly comprising: a rearview device operablycoupled with a carrier, the rearview device including an electro-opticelement having partially reflective and partially transmissiveproperties, the electro-optic element including a first substrate and asecond substrate, wherein the first substrate is disposed in front ofthe second substrate and includes a first surface and a second surface,and wherein the second substrate includes a third surface and a fourthsurface; an electro-optic medium disposed between the first substrateand the second substrate; a graphic applique disposed over a frontsurface of the rearview device, the graphic applique including a hidinglayer over the electro-optic element; and a protective layer disposedover the graphic applique.
 10. The rearview assembly of claim 9 whereinthe graphic applique is printed directly onto the front surface of therearview device.
 11. The rearview assembly of claim 9, furthercomprising: a pressure sensitive adhesive disposed between the graphicapplique and the first surface of the first substrate.
 12. The rearviewassembly of claim 9, wherein the protective layer wraps over both thegraphic applique and a forward edge of a bezel.
 13. The rearviewassembly of claim 9, wherein the protective layer is formed from a clearpolymeric material.
 14. A rearview assembly for use in a vehicle, therearview assembly comprising: a housing; a carrier operably coupled withthe housing and supporting a display; a circuit board disposed in thehousing and operably coupled with the display; a rearview deviceoperably coupled with the carrier, the rearview device disposed forwardof the display; and an at least partially translucent applique disposedon a forward surface of the rearview device, the at least partiallytranslucent applique defining a hiding layer over the display.
 15. Therearview assembly of claim 14, further comprising: an electro-opticelement disposed adjacent the display.
 16. The rearview assembly ofclaim 14, further comprising: a bezel abutting a peripheral edge of therearview device proximate the at least partially translucent applique.17. The rearview assembly of claim 16, further comprising: a clearovermold disposed over the at least partially translucent applique. 18.The rearview assembly of claim 17, wherein a forward edge of the bezeland a forward surface of the clear overmold are substantially co-planar.19. The rearview assembly of claim 17, wherein the clear overmoldextends over both the at least partially translucent applique and aforward edge of the bezel.